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They’re the photos that shocked Australia – new shots of Gladiator hunk Russell Crowe sporting a portly belly and the evidence of a big weight gain.
But while many fans jumped to his defence and called for a stop to the rampant social-media body shaming, there was one woman who wasn’t happy at all – loved-up Terri Irwin.
Sources say the Australia Zoo boss – a committed fitness and boxing enthusiast – was ‘horrified’ by the scandal over Russ’ weight gain, and is worried about his health as he hits his mid 50s.
While the pair bushwalk and eat organic and sustainably harvested food when together as per Terri’s wishes, it seems Russ has been hitting the junk food recently.
‘Terri saw a recent Instagram photo of Russ eating fast food, knocking back a beer and smoking a cigarette and was very worried,’ says a friend of the 52-year-old conservationist.
‘And when the pics of Russ playing footy in the park came out showing his new body, she just started fretting about whether he’s looking after his health like a man his age should.
‘He tells her that he cycles all the time, that he exercises and eats well – and then she sees this. And don’t even start on the smoking – she had no idea.
‘So she called Russ and said: “What are you hiding? Why aren’t you looking after yourself ?” She feels like his diet and fitness regime could do with an overhaul. She’s really upset.’
It’s the latest chapter in the pair’s private relationship, which was first made public last July.
Sources confirm the couple – who are long-time friends – grew close after the LA premiere of The Nice Guys, with Oscar-winning actor Russ being spotted numerous times on the balcony of Terri’s Sunshine Coast home in the early hours of the morning.
Since then, the pair have reportedly discussed marriage – and insiders reveal Russ and Terri had planned to go public with their romance at the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in LA next month.
‘Now everything’s up in the air,’ says the source. ‘Terri wants to see Russ put some effort into his diet and fitness and show that he’s as serious as she is about good health.
‘Terri is incredibly health- conscious and wasn’t afraid to sit Russ down and explain that she was really concerned about him. She told him that good health was really important to her, and she wanted to help him lose weight and get his diet in order. She’s not crazy about him smoking, either, which is another bone of contention – but she’s fighting one battle at a time.
‘At the end of the day, she wants herself and Russ to be positive role models to his kids and to Robert and Bindi – and people everywhere. She told him that if he didn’t shape up, she’d have to reconsider their relationship – that’s how serious it was.’
For the full story, see this week’s New Idea – Out now.
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